River otters have recovered in many areas but remain threatened by pollution, trapping, and habitat loss.
River otter welfare recovery tracks the recovery of clean water in many parts of North America — their return to rivers and wetlands where they were absent for decades is a conservation success story linked directly to environmental protection. However, otters remain vulnerable to bycatch in traps, oil spills that destroy fur waterproofing and cause hypothermia, and pollution that depletes their fish prey. Maintaining clean waterways and enforcing trapping regulations to minimize non-target captures are the primary ongoing welfare priorities.